A photograph taken around 1935 showing a British Legion "drumhead" service in Maxwell Park for First World War veterans.
About four million people were discharged from the armed forces at the end of the war. Many became disillusioned with civilian life, finding themselves facing unemployment and hunger. The West of Scotland's economy was in decline, and times were hard. Many ex-servicemen found they could best express themselves in the company of their former comrades, with whom they had shared so much.
The Royal British Legion Scotland was formed under the leadership of Earl Haig at a meeting in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 18 June 1921. The Legion was created to preserve the spirit of fellowship and service to others and to maintain, in a strong, stimulating, united comradeship, all those who have served in HM Forces or Auxiliary Forces, and their dependants.
Reference: Mitchell Library, Glasgow Collection, BA vol.3, p.22a
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
armed forces, British Army, charities, First World War, flags, Maxwell Park, parks, Royal Air Force, Royal British Legion Scotland, Royal Navy, unemployment, war veterans